He was widely expected to run and to win a seat but his party has decided to stay out of the election in the expectation that it will fail to produce a workable coalition, which would then trigger a second election.

In addition, Mr Gleeson said the party had a policy of not canvassing after dark, and most of its membership were working, which left only Saturdays for canvassing.

“We are still a party intent on contesting all elections, and we think it may prove difficult for a government to form and remain stable, in which case there will be another election in the summer or thereabouts,” he said.

Mr Gleeson, a former Kerry senior footballer and three- time All-Ireland medal holder, is based in Killarney and was a councillor first with Labour.